Sunday, April 14, 2013

One of the first books I ever read was “Peter Pan.” Throughout my life, I have reread this book at least a hundred times. In this book, at the age of two, Wendy is heartbroken to learn that she must grow up. Because you see “you always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.”

I must have realized this at a young age as well because once I discovered Disney, I knew that this was my Neverland; the one place in this world where I never had to grow up.

As a child, I searched every shelf in the library and bookstores for any information I could find about Disney World. I reread articles endlessly and would try to remember every detail on the few trips that my parents were able to afford. As I grew older (on the outside), I discovered that trips to the Disney parks were much more attainable with proper planning and budgeting. Every decision in college and my career have been centered around how can I spend more time in Disney.

As a result of my love for Disney, my children have lived charmed lives going to Disney World at least twice a year their entire life. When my daughter was five, I bought her a princess hat, that hat was magic!! Every cast member in the park treated her like royalty. This one memory had such a lasting impression on her life that, this fall, she will be attending the University of Central Florida to obtain a degree in Hospitality and Event Management with a specialty in Theme Park and Resort Management!

In our family we have a few simple Disney Park rules:

1. There is no crying in Disney World

2. Never Grow Up!

3. You must act a little silly

4. You are never too old for Disney (see rule 2)

One of the best things about Disney is having the opportunity to watch others experience the magic. The look on a child’s face the first time they see Tinkerbell’s flight is priceless! I love to show others why I love Disney so much. This is why it was a natural choice for me to become an
Independent Consultant with Dream Come True Vacations.

One of my favorite “share the magic” memories was when I took one of my best friends to Disney World for her very first time. I insisted that we get up early so that we could be at the Magic Kingdom in time for the rope drop ceremony. She stood there, hugging her coffee cup and grumbling under her breath, while I was like a bubble that was about to burst! When the rope dropped, I skipped under the train station while dragging her behind me. At the end of the day, she grabbed my hand and we skipped out together. She looked at me with the biggest grin on her face and said “my face is hurting because I’ve been smiling so much!” The next week, she took her children on their first trip to Disney World!